Showing posts sorted by date for query for the birds. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query for the birds. Sort by relevance Show all posts

For the Birds: Happy Morning Chorus

Sunday, April 7, 2024

Communal bathing

Story and photos by Christine Southwick

American Robins start singing their lovely cheery songs just before dawn and can be seen running across lawns and curbs, suddenly stopping and tilting their heads looking for their tasty worm meals.

When you really look at robins, you’ll see that they are pretty birds, with black stripes on a white throat, and white feathers around the eyes. Females are paler than males, and juveniles have spots on their buff breasts.

Juvie learning that leaves aren't food

Robins are one of the first birds most people learn to recognize, and their size is often used as a reference, as in, “Larger than a chickadee, smaller than a robin.”

Even though we see robins all the time, chances are they aren’t the same ones. Most here in the winter go further north to breed, and the ones who breed here probably came from Oregon or California. Even its name, Turdus Migratorius, recognizes this songbird’s short-distance movements. American Robins are members of the Thrush family.

Robins are social and feed in small flocks, with larger flocks at night, and when migrating. In addition to worms, they eat volumes of beetle grubs and caterpillars. Robins watch vigilantly for predators like cats or hawks, and you can often see a robin on guard duty while others are bathing.

Female gathering mud for nest building

The female makes the nest, coating it with mud and grass before laying three to five blue eggs in a tree or under an eave. Jays, crows, squirrels, and in some places, snakes, like their eggs. Both parents loudly and boldly protect their eggs and their fledglings until they can forage on their own. Even so, less than 25 % of each year’s broods survive to see their first November.

The worm that didn't get away

Cats, crows, hawks, window strikes and the pesticides that poison the worms and berries Robins eat, take their tolls. The average lifespan of American Robins is two years, but some have lived to 10-13 years.

Stop using insecticides and harsh fertilizers, provide a shallow birdbath and plant a crabapple or serviceberry tree, and your will be rewarded with these lovely American Robins.

When you hear cheery morning singing, take a minute to watch the early bird running across your lawn, grabbing that early worm. It will bring a smile to your face.


Read more...

Washington Department of Ecology and Coast Guard respond to sunken vessel in Lake Union

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Sunken tugboat in Lake Union
Photo courtesy Dept Ecology
SEATTLE, WA – The Coast Guard and Washington Department of Ecology continue their response Monday to a sunken tugboat in Lake Union in Seattle, Washington.

The vessel, a tugboat converted into a residence, partially sank Saturday afternoon.

Red-dyed diesel escaped from the vessel into Lake Union. There were reportedly no people aboard the vessel at the time of the sinking.

Responders from the City of Seattle and the Washington Department of Ecology placed boom around the vessel to contain the spill. A response contractor was hired to clean up the spill and salvage the vessel. 

Contractors have pumped off 400 gallons of oily water from the vessel’s tanks and cabin and removed fuel from inside the boom surrounding the vessel as well.

Professional wildlife response efforts are underway. Responders with Focus Wildlife have found several oiled birds and are taking steps to recover those animals for treatment. 

Responders are on scene assessing further risk to animals in the area. If you see oiled wildlife, report it at 1-800-22BIRDS. Do not to attempt to rescue oiled birds or other wildlife on your own.

Oil spill responders are investigating sheens reported in other parts of Lake Union. Anyone may report a spill or potential spilled material to 1-800-OILS-911.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.


Read more...

The Secret Gardens of Lake Forest Park Garden Tour and Market returns on Saturday, June 15, 2024

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Six beautiful, local gardens will open to visitors for the Secret Gardens of LFP tours

Secret Gardens of Lake Forest Park Garden Tour and Market Saturday, June 15, 2024, 9am to 3pm

Buy Tickets now

Amid the shade of old-growth trees and the sunny ridges of its watershed, Lake Forest Park residents incorporate all-weather sculptures, and create havens for chickens, honey bees, children's fairy gardens, native salmon alevin and campfire musicians.

Six private LFP gardens will be open to public view on June 15, 2024 at the 20th Annual Secret Gardens of Lake Forest Park Garden Tour. These properties provide solace and recreation and are cultivated by gifted amateurs and professionals. 

They have much to teach novice and seasoned gardeners -- "I love going to the Secret Gardens of Lake Forest Park," says local resident, Sadie, "“I always get inspiration for new ideas that I want to incorporate into my own yard.”

Detail from one of the Secret Gardens
Maps to the gardens may be bought in exchange for a tour ticket and picked up at the Garden Market, in the LFP Town Center, on the same date. 

Show up at the lower level of the main building from 9am - 3pm, get your map and answers to nettlesome questions from attending WSU Master Gardeners. 

Also available are folks from the Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation, who’ll explain how the neighborhood has managed to preserve the foundational aspects of the city: its forest, parks, and water. 

Consult and purchase garden-related services and goods: landscape professionals, specialty nursery stock, floral bouquets, and handcrafted all-weather art, including glass, stone, and metal work. Then, go explore those gardens!

Gardens can be viewed in any order you choose. Parking will be adjacent and free, and you may hear the sound of live music as you approach. 

Consult the garden owner, or you might overhear the sage observations of members of the Lake Forest Park Garden Club, the 100-yr. old association of neighborhood horticulturists. 

While exact details of these gardens are still a mystery, they’re reputed to vary in size (up to a shy acre), and include open meadows, trees of national registry significance, stone work, kitchen gardens, and of course, the native creeks that define the city.

Secret Gardens of Lake Forest Park Garden Tour and Garden Market, Saturday, June 15, 2024, 9am - 3pm

Benefitting:
  • Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation
  • Third Place Commons
  • ShoreLake Arts
  • Lake Forest Park Garden Club
Buy Tickets online starting early May ($20 in advance, $25 day of) or at:

The free LFP Garden Market is located in the lower lobby of LFP Town Center

LFP Garden Market

Tour maps to the garden tour can be picked up at the check-in table at LFP Garden Market
Admission to the Garden Market is free
Saturday, June 15, 2024, 9am to 3pm

Lower level of the Lake Forest Park Town Center 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, 98155 (intersection of Bothell Way NE/SR-522 & Ballinger Way NE/SR-104)

Find: professional advice, local environmental and natural resource agencies

Purchase: Secret Garden Tour maps, potted native and cultivated plants, cut flowers, garden art, garden-related crafts,

New and prospective vendors at Garden Market encouraged to email for information here.


Read more...

For the Birds: The spiderwebs were deliberate

Monday, February 19, 2024

Hard to get the spider web from toes to nest.
Photo by Jan Hansen

By Diane Hettrick

Remember the charming photos of a hummingbird picking spiderwebs out of her toes?

We thought she had accidentally flown through a web.

Offended hummingbird. Photo by Jan Hansen

She was a little offended at the assumption. 

According to For the Birds columnist Christine Southwick this is a female Anna's Hummingbird, who is in the process of building her nest!

Anna’s Hummingbirds nest starting as early as late December, although as cold as it was I suspect most waited until about now.

The females build a nest for their two small eggs using spider webbing to bind it together and to allow the nest to expand as the nestlings grow.

The whole nest is only about 1 1/2  inches across. 
 
Keep your feeders clean and active and you should see some juveniles in about a month.

Read more...

For the Birds: Who’s That Singing in My Yard?

Sunday, February 4, 2024

Resident Bewick's Wren foraging in the snow
Photo by Craig Kerns
By Christine Southwick

If you have a small boisterous brown bird with a white eye line flitting through your shrubs, stopping every so often to belt out lovely warbles, whistles, and trills, you have a Bewick’s Wren. 

He and his mate are probably year-round residents.

Those lively buzzes, trills, warbles and bubbly songs of these wrens bring such joy to my ears.

The male Bewick’s Wren sings to protect his territory, which he takes quite seriously, and to attract a mate. 

This is a full-time effort, especially since he must endeavor to win his mate by melodiously belting out up to 22 different songs in his repertoire, and to keep other males away.

Active nest box near house
Photo by Craig Kerns
Since the majority of these local wrens stay paired they are usually the first perching birds (passerines) in this area to start nesting.

Once he has won the affection of this year’s mate, the male fashions three or four nests full of twigs for the female’s approval. 

These are often in the most unusual places; hose bib covers, boots, corners of carports, all hidden near human habitation. 

Bewick’s Wrens will readily use a nest box near/against your house. They don’t like high-traffic areas and won’t make nests out in the open.

When the female has selected the preferred nest location, she will finish it with feathers, hair, leaves and mosses and a soft warm cup for her eggs.

While the female sits on her 4-6 eggs the male brings food to her, and he helps feed their offspring. The female often has a second brood.

Score a spider
Photo by Craig Kerns
These spunky hyperactive little birds, with their tails cocked over their backs, can be found climbing on branches, skulking in blackberry brambles, sometimes upside down, and investigating the leaves on the ground, looking for their buggy delicacies, especially those tasty spiders.

If you go too close to them while they are searching for food, they will often scold you.

Extermination at your service
Photo by Craig Kerns
Fledgling Bewick’s Wrens are the same size as their parents when they leave their nests, only their tail feathers still need to finish growing. 

Since their eyebrows are rough and uneven these juvies look unkempt until they molt into their adult feathers the next year.

Your yard is being used by one of the best insect and spider eliminators, so don’t use pesticides which will likely kill these delightful super-bug-eaters. 

Let these energetic birds be your bubbly exterminators.



Read more...

Hummingbird feeder alert: birds can't drink frozen juice

Saturday, January 13, 2024

By Gordon Snyder

I’m a hummingbird fan. I love watching and photographing them.

We have had feeders in the front and back yards for years. When it’s very cold like now, our resident hummers are dependent on us keeping their feeders thawed out. They can’t drink frozen juice.


Photo by Gordon Snyder
As soon as I hung this thawed feeder, I got a quick "Thank You Look” from this Anna's Hummingbird.

Notice the feathers are fluffed to make the warmest down coat. He was even flying around the feeder all puffed up to stay warm as possible.

Heated hummingbird feeder
Photo by Gordon Snyder
Next, I set up a heated hummingbird feeder and within seconds a Boss was guarding it selfishly.

All our hummingbird feeders were frozen solid from this cold front. To thaw them out, put them in a sink or container because they will leak sugar water as they warm.

As the warmed feeders were rehung, they were in high demand. But as usual, the hummers began setting territories. Our Anna’s Hummingbirds don’t share…

Thaw feeders in a sink because they will leak suger water as they warm.
Photo by Gordon Snyder
After thawing out and setting up a couple more feeders, the Anna's managed to share. But only between flights chasing each other away from “their” feeder. Then, during the chase, another one snuck in and filled its belly.

Please, it’s going to be cold for the next several days and nights. If you have hummingbird feeders, bring them inside at night. Then, put them outside in the morning.

The hummers will be waiting for you. You will bring joy to them and yourself.


Read more...

Gloria's Birds: Why do humans insist on saying "Birds of 'a' feather flock together” photog?

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

No such thing exists. Take me for example: head feathers, shoulder feathers, tail feathers...all different shapes and patterns. 

You guys give us no credit for the diversity that is nature!

(Cora Crow’s a mite testy, but seems to me she’s got a point! There are no birds of a feather!)

--Gloria Z. Nagler


Read more...

Garden Guy: Suggestions for After-Christmas gifts

Monday, December 25, 2023

Somehow this letter to Santa got lost in the mail - but it's not too late to help the gardener in your life get a wonderful gift with these suggestions.

Dear Santa,

I know you’re heading into your busy time of the year. So, seeing as your part of the world is challenged to grow any type of greenery, I’m thinking you and the elves may have a bit of a problem coming up with gift ideas for those good folk who happen to enjoy the experience of gardening in their lives. 


With that being the case, let me make your life a little easier by offering a few suggestions for gardener’s toys which would be appreciated in western Washington. In many cases, all that is wanted for Christmas this year is rain. I know that’s hard to believe, but the summer was dry and the poor gardens took the brunt of the summer weather. And, we still haven’t caught up on our usual annual average of rain.

In the event you can’t put that particular request under the tree (it would be a bit messy, wouldn’t it?), here’s a short list of some other items any gardeners, like me, would enjoy next spring and for years to come. And, which won’t break the gift-giving bank.

Felco F2 pruners
In the world of gardening tools, some of the most helpful items would include: a Japanese Hori-Hori knife/soil knife. They are great little tools for dividing perennials, rooting out weeds from the soil and in between pavers, etc. 

Hand pruners, like a set of Felco F2 (shown), are indispensable to just about any time a gardener steps outdoors. 

If the elves have the time, turn the pruners into a gift a set by including a whetstone and can of honing or mineral oil for blade sharpening. All gardeners will thank you next spring when their pruners cut through branches like butter. 

Finally, I know a garden kneel pad and seat or just a simple rectangular kneeling pad don’t scream ‘Christmas’, but they will keep many a set of knees comfortable during planting, weeding, and all the other low-to-the-ground tasks that are part of gardening.

Sun hats, visors, and apparel at Sky Nursery
Gardeners are not clothes horses by any stretch of the imagination, but there are some apparel items that are more for protection, rather than style. 

For instance, how about gifting a broad brimmed, UV-resistant hat to that fair skinned horticulturist with chlorophyll in their blood. Roll it up, stick it in an empty gift wrap cardboard tube and you have the makings of a fine stocking stuffer. 

The same practical value holds true for an UV-resistant long sleeve shirt as spring turns into summer. Depending on garden conditions, a pair of muck boots will keep feet warm and regular shoes clean (and, perhaps, a boot/shoe tray to keep dirt and compost from being tracked throughout the hose. You know how Mrs. Claus feels about that.).

Speaking of compost, I know it’s an unusual and unexpected sort of present, but, how about leaving a few bags of compost, fertilizer or potting soil at the front door? Putting them under the tree might be a tad too much for your back and the home’s ‘fragrance’. But, they are long-lasting gifts, won’t go stale and you can be assured they will be used during the year.

Bistro table and chairs
If someone has been outstandingly good, maybe a larger item is called for. I’m thinking about a bistro set of a table and two chairs. They can fit just about anywhere in the yard or on a balcony. 

The great thing about bistro furniture is many of them fold into easily storable pieces or could be used as an art display hanging the wall. Function, long life and color? – Santa, they’ll think you nailed this one. 

Getting back to wallet-saving gifts, a bird feeder or hummingbird feeder helps keep over-wintering birds in our yards, keeps them fed and provides the homeowner with smiles-a-plenty from the avian aerobatic antics throughout the year. 

And, if the home has cats, you’ll always know where to find them. A cat seat in front of the window might be totally appropriate as well.

Then, there are topical publications, Santa. I’m pretty sure you don’t run a printing press up at the North Pole, but I’m confident you can make some deals with publishers. Gardeners are lifelong learners and always trying to improve their skills, knowledge and acumen. 

Consequently, a year’s subscription to some type of gardening magazine will extend the thrill of your gift throughout the year. 

Taking about printed matter, let’s not forget books as gifts. They don’t even need to come from full-price bookstores. Places like Amazon and Half-Price Books can provide quality products without costing a small fortune. 

For example, publications I’m eyeing for myself in the very near future include ‘The Whole Seed Catalog,’ which is a catalog of catalogs. For those interested in developing a vegetable garden, think about putting a copy of ‘Square Foot Gardening’ or ‘Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades’ under the tree. For garden design, give them a copy of ‘The Well-Designed Mixed Garden’ or ‘Gardening in Summer-Dry Climates.’ 

For those fairly new to gardening, let me recommend that your elves pick-up copies of ‘Maritime Northwest Garden Guide’ and the ‘Sunset Western Garden Book.’ 

They are all-round excellent information to have on the reference bookshelf. Any of these publications will provide a gardener with a pleasurable way to spend the impending wet and gray wet which will besieging the Northwest for the next six months. 

Make an impact, Santa! Give gardeners knowledge and something to dream about. I’ll do my part by reminding my neighbors that the Elizabeth Miller Library at the UW Center for Urban Horticulture will have books on all types of gardening that may interest the gardener in someone’s life. Those books can, then, be ordered online by one of the elves and be received in time to be put under the Christmas Tree.

Finally, I won’t mention gift cards from a favorite nursery, but, in the same vein, how about a year’s membership to a garden organization like the Northwest Perennial Alliance or the Northwest Horticultural Society or a subscription to a lecture series like the Master Gardeners’ Growing Groceries Program or the Bellevue Botanical Garden’s lecture series? 

That’s really telling the gift recipient that their priorities and interests have been taken into consideration. Santa don’t believe in that old saw that one-size-fits-all. In this case, it’s personal.

So, you see, Santa, there are many different, green-related items you can put under (or near) gardeners’ Christmas trees as you make your rounds on the 25th. Here’s wishing you safe faster-than-sound travels that evening and, of course, my regards to Mrs. Claus. Happy Holidays one and all!

Contributing garden columnist and part-time Christmas Elf, Bruce Bennett, is a WSU Certified Master Gardener, WA Certified Professional Horticulturist, consultant and public speaker. 

If you have questions concerning this article, have a question about your own garden area or care to suggest topics of interest for future columns, please contact Bruce at gardenguy4u@hotmail.com.

Previous articles by Garden Guy and part-time Christmas elf can be seen here


Read more...

Gloria's Birds: Hermione hurried off for some last-minute holiday shopping...

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

 
Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

(Probably a Sharp-shinned Hawk because of the squared-off tail, rather than a Cooper's Hawk with a rounded tail.)

Bird folks are telling me this is a Cooper’s Hawk, and they may well be right!

--Gloria Z. Nagler


Read more...

For the Birds: There’s Snow in the Valley -- Snow Geese that is…

Sunday, December 10, 2023

Snow Geese landing. Note the black wingtips.
Photo by Ray Hamlyn
By Christine Southwick

Snow Geese have returned to Skagit Valley, one of their prime wintering grounds, near Fir Island and northward to Port Susan Bay Preserve. They spend their summer breeding on the Russian island of Wrangel, 3,000 miles away.

Snow Geese are a North American species, with both lesser (western), and Greater (eastern) subspecies, all of which breed in various parts of the Arctic Tundra. They start arriving in late September and usually leave in late March.

Snow Geese can be identified by their black tips on the underside of their wings. Snow Geese have a black edge along their bills - it almost looks like someone ran a black crayon between the upper and lower bills. 

Their legs and feet are rose-colored, but their legs and heads are often stained a rusty-brown from the minerals in the soil.

The rich farmland in Skagit County supports approximately 100,000 Snow Geese in their large wintering and migration flocks. It’s a treat to see these white geese with black under-wing tips land in nearby fields. 

They are very vocal and can be heard more than a mile away from where they are foraging.

Flock by the road. Photo by Doug Parrott

A Snow Goose usually forms a lifelong pair bond in its second year and starts raising its annual three to five goslings in its third year. The females return to their hatching grounds to breed their young. The babies leave the nest and start feeding themselves within hours of hatching but stay under their parents’ protection for the next two to three years.

Snow Geese forage by using their sharp beaks to pick up seeds and rip vegetation from the ground. Because of their increase in numbers they are starting to destroy some of their winter habitat.

Snow Geese may be hunted between October through January in Washington State, so be aware of your surroundings if you go viewing where hunting is permitted. Hunters that I have seen have obvious locations and are required to shoot upward.

The Skagit Valley is a major wintering site for Snow Geese, Trumpeter Swans, and Tundra Swans. It is well worth the trip to go see and hear the flocks. There is an annual Port Susan Snow Goose and Birding Festival in February at the Nature Conservancy’s Port Susan Bay Preserve.

Just remember to pull off the much-used rural roads, don't approach the flocks, and respect the property rights of the local landowners.

Previous For the Birds columns can be seen here


Read more...

Gloria's Critters: I'm as appealing as any Varied Thrush, photog

Thursday, December 7, 2023

 
Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

so why not lay off the birds for a while and focus instead on us mammals?

(Raelynn the Raccoon was adamant about wanting a portrait session, and so photog complied:)

--Gloria Z. Nagler


Read more...

Gloria's Birds: I'm assuming the reservations I made

Sunday, December 3, 2023

Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

to stay in your ravine are good for the entire winter, yes, photog?

--Indeed, I'd have it no other way, you splendid [male] Varied Thrush!

--Gloria Z. Nagler


Read more...

Gloria's Birds: Are you sure that's a high quality portrait lens you're using, photog?

Sunday, November 19, 2023

 

(Bernice the Barred Owl had exacting standards for her photo sessions.)

--Gloria Z. Nagler


Read more...

A night to caw about: Crow Watch 2023 on Wednesday November 15, 2023

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Photo courtesy University of Washington
Join UW Bothell and Cascadia College to learn about the 10,000 crows that roost nightly near campus

Bothell, WA — UW Bothell and Cascadia College will be hosting their annual Crow Watch on Wednesday, November 15, 4 - 6:30pm, at the North Creek Events Center on the UW Bothell campus in Bothell, 18225 Campus Way NE, Bothell, WA 98011

This free event features birdwatching as well as talks from faculty crow experts, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, local author Kira Jane Buxton (Hollow Kingdom), and more.

Speakers include 
  • Dr. Ursula Valdez, lecturer in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts / Sciences, whose expertise is in ecology and ornithology; 
  • Dr. Doug Wacker, associate professor in the School of STEM, whose research focuses on animal behavior, specifically the behavior of the campus crows; and 
  • Dr. Jeff Jensen, teaching professor in the School of STEM, who uses the salmon run at the North Creek Wetland to study fish.

In addition to learning about crows, participants can engage in arts and crafts activities, connect with other bird enthusiasts and see the work of local artists who celebrate these intelligent creatures. Binoculars will be provided for birdwatching.

Photo courtesy University of Washington

Each night, thousands of crows gather on the UW Bothell and Cascadia College campus and fly together to the wetland. This has sparked curiosity about crows — the notoriously smart birds known for using tools, mourning their dead and remembering the faces of human friends and foes.

Visit Crow Watch for more information about the event.

About UW Bothell

UW Bothell’s commitment to increasing access to a UW education extends well beyond admissions. It includes the opportunities, resources and services its diverse students need to flourish while in college and after graduation. Access also means offering evening, offsite, online, hybrid and certificate programs that help make it possible for more students to pursue higher education. UW Bothell has been recognized for innovations in academic and extracurricular programming that helps students graduate on time and debt free.

About Cascadia College

Cascadia College is a comprehensive community college that specializes in university transfer education. It is nationally recognized for its high transfer rate and for its emphasis on collaborative and active learning across disciplines. It was established by the legislature to serve the higher education needs of Northeast King and South Snohomish counties.


Read more...

For the Birds: Pileated Woodpecker - Largest in North America

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Male Pileated - note red mustache.
Photo by Craig Kerns
By Christine Southwick

We in the Pacific Northwest are enamored with “our” large and impressive black, white, and red Pileated Woodpeckers. In North America only the Imperial and the Ivory-billed woodpeckers were larger, and both of those are presumed extinct.

Pileated Woodpeckers are 16-19 inches tall with a wingspan up to 30 inches across. With their red cap, roller-coaster undulating flight, and usually loud call preceding their arrival at your suet feeder, these are impressive birds.

They are non-migratory, can live to be 12 years old, and stay with the same partner, only replacing a mate due to their partner’s death. They have a very large territory which they defend all year long.

Father and son drinking at birdbath.
Photo by Craig Kerns
Fortunately, as long as humans leave large dead or dying trees (called snags) for Pileated Woodpeckers to use for nesting, and roosting, we should be able to keep these magnificent woodpeckers viable.

Pileated Woodpeckers are found across much of the US and Canada, wherever stands of large diameter deciduous and evergreen trees are found and the dead trees are allowed to remain.

Mother bringing son to suet feeder.
Photo by Craig Kerns
Dead or dying trees are the housing needed for these large birds. Indeed, these birds are so large that the mated pair sleep in separate cavities due to how large a hole would be needed to accommodate two adult Pileated Woodpeckers.

Creating a nesting hole for the three to five offspring can take 3-6 weeks, be 10-24 inches deep, and has an oblong opening. Both parents help make the nest cavity, with the male doing the heavy work, and the female mostly completing the finishing touches.

Carpenter ants are their primary food, followed by beetle larvae, termites, spruce budworm, and other wood boring insects. They help make our forest healthier. They also eat blackberries and elderberries and have been known to eat apples in the wintertime.

Female -note black mustache.
Photo by Yokari Yoshioka
Being insect eaters, they will gladly eat suet all year long, and teach their young to use suet feeders. What a delight it is to watch these awkward punk-headed youngsters first being fed that suet, and then trying to retrieve it themselves.

I call them punk-headed because their topknot sticks up in unruly fashion, and is a pinkish-not-quite red. Next spring their head covering (the pilum) will be that brilliant red. Even the red mustache that identifies the males from the females is that lighter color the first season.

Put out suet where you can see it and watch for these magnificent birds. You will be pleased that you did so.


Read more...

Miyawaki Urban Forest History Project at the Shoreline Historical Museum

Monday, October 30, 2023

By Sally Yamasaki

For two years, community members from Lake Forest Park and Shoreline worked together to develop a plan to build a Museum Forest in a vacant field adjacent to the Shoreline Historical Museum. 

Instead of a brick-and-mortar building, they envisioned a Forest that would sequester carbon while they walked a pathway that would guide them through the natural and human history of that area.

On October 4, 2023, their vision of planting a forest became real. 

The Shoreline Historical Museum signed a contract with Ethan Bryson of Natural Urban Forests to help the Museum community plant their Miyawaki Urban Forest. 

Funding for the Forest portion of the project came from an anonymous donor through the SUGi Project.

The Forest Museum will cover 4800 square feet of space that is currently a vacant field adjacent to the museum which is located a few blocks off Aurora Ave N / SR 99 in Shoreline, Washington. 

The Forest will provide a respite for people as well as provide a natural habitat for birds and other wild animals.

Aerial shot shows the section to be planted
Photo courtesy Shoreline Historical Museum

Once the Forest is planted, it will have exhibits incorporating local, natural, and human history as well as ongoing educational programming with the intent to build community.

PLANTING DAY

The Museum’s Forest Planting Day is on Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 10:00am – 2:00pm.
  • At 10:00am there will be a Forest Dedication followed by community forest planting.
  • There will be refreshments, children’s activities as well as museum tours.
  • Those interested in Planting or Volunteering can email: Volunteer@shorelinehistoricalmuseum.org
For more information contact:

Kenneth Doutt (he/him)
Executive Director ǀ Shoreline Historical Museum
18501 Linden Ave N., Shoreline, WA 98155
Tue-Sat 10am-4pm
206-542-7111
shm@shorelinehistoricalmuseum.org

Other resources:
Funder and Landscape designer:

Read more...

Garden Guy: Climate Ready landscape plants

Monday, October 16, 2023

By Bruce Bennett

Gardeners who have read this column for a while have seen me write about the proper watering of their gardens and landscapes. Yet, the right irrigation schedule can be a bit costly with the arrival of each public utility bill. The last three years have given us some of the increasingly hottest weather on record and forecasts for the next decade really don’t provide us much hope for the cooler, ‘normal’ weather cycles. 


There must be a better way, right? How about we take the next logical step in landscape development for a present and future that includes the issue of global warming in our part of the world? Let’s look at some existing plants that are being trialed as horticultural candidates which are up to the challenges of heat and drought.

For the past two years your Garden Guy has been part of an evaluation process of some fifteen different types of plants which may benefit our area’s gardens. 

The UW Botanical Gardens joined a multi-year endeavor initially begun by the University of California-Davis California Center for Urban Horticulture and is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

The expanded trials now include garden plots at the UC-Davis, the University of Washington Botanical Gardens, the South Coast Research and Extension Center, the University of Arizona, Utah State University, Oregon State University and the North Willamette Research and Extension Center.

These Landscape Irrigation Trials are a longitudinal research project will help identify some of the best water-wise plants for our region. The findings will help the live-goods trade and gardeners in the Puget Sound make smart plant choices for the hotter, drier summers climate scientists predict for the years ahead. 

From the ranks of the wholesale nursery industry, garden centers, Certified Master Gardeners from King County, etc. evaluators will rate some 350 plants in terms of their foliage, flowering, pest tolerance/disease resistance, vigor and overall appearance (AKA, the “WOW factor”). 

The plants which thrive best with the lowest amount of irrigation will be classified as the “winners”, so to speak. And, those that do best under low-water conditions will be recommended to the green industry and northwest gardeners, similar to the suggestions from the Great Plant Picks program through the UW’s Center for Urban Horticulture.

As this is only the UW’s second year participating in these trials, there is not, as yet, a list of drought-tolerant plants for the Northwest to recommend. You can, however, visit the UC-Davis website 

Remember to select plants to research for your landscapes which grow well in our US Hardiness Zones (Zones 7 and 8). From these past two years of trials (and 20-years of hands-on experience), the Garden Guy has come away with a short list of his own favorites from the trials. Among these full-sun (6+ hours/day) loving candidates for your consideration are:

Chaste Tree
Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) ‘Blue Diddley’ is a dwarf (6’ x 5’) version of the straight species which can grow quite large (18’ x 15’). 

As a Mediterranean native, Vitex has proven to be extremely drought tolerant. This compact, intensely colored, freely blooming shrub could become a very popular landscape plant in many different spaces.

‘Blue Diddley’ could find a space in a mixed border or on a sunny condo deck. It would also be a great alternative to those who want the ‘look’ of the invasive Buddleia (Butterfly Bush) in their yards.

Crape Myrtle
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) ‘Center Stage Red’ is another great color counterpoint in the landscape. In late summer this 12’ x 10’ small tree/large shrub commands the spotlight with its deep burgundy -to-black leaves and red flowers.

It naturally grows with a narrow, space-saving habit and needs minimal pruning. 

If you find the leaves on your Redbud or Japanese Snowbell crisping during our increasing heat domes, a Crape Myrtle just might be the new urban setting tree for your yard. 

An added bonus these plants offer is their disease and deer resistance. They should be used more often.

Maiden grass
Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis) ‘Bandwith’ is the new gold (banded) standard in a dwarf (3’ x 3’) Miscanthus. 

This compact Maiden Grass has green foliage with pronounced yellow banding. The habit is solidly upright like 'Zebrinus’ but stands half the height. Bandwidth flowers late in the season and adds extra interest to fading gardens. It makes a great landscape accent or a ‘thriller’ in containers. 

Miscanthus is versatile from a design standpoint; it can be used as a single specimen, for mass plantings or screening or in large containers. 

Even though it dies back in early winter, it will provide a buff-colored presence of winter interest which birds will enjoy for the seeds provided the homeowner for the vertical visual show.

Nine bark
Nine Bark (Physocarpus opulifolius) ‘Little Devil’, (4’ x 3’) with its upright spreading habit, fine-texture and really dark foliage sets it apart from the many greens of the landscape and provide a nice contrast and can replace thorny barberries in the yard. 

This less-than-thirsty shrub is definitely easy-care and requires little, if any, pruning. 

Additionally, it is virtually free from pest and disease issues and adapts well to wet or dry soil. Clusters of small purplish-white flowers bloom in June that contrast nicely with the burgundy foliage.

Rosa
Rose (Rosa x) ‘Oso Easy ‘Urban Legend’ is a true-red excellent carpet rose (2’ x 3’) that blooms from early summer until hard frost and without trimming and deadheading, no less. 

The glossy green leaves seem to be pretty resistant and usually have no need for fungicides. This plant’s size and rigor make it an excellent candidate as a ground cover, edging or sunny spot that could use a bit more summer color. 

As with all of the plants on my list, once established, they require far less water than others in their taxa. I’d recommend an application of a granular fertilizer in spring and pruning in early spring.

Nine Bark blooms
A few other trial recommendations for you to consider include Bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandonensi), Buxus ‘Little Missy’, California Lilac (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus) ‘Victoria’, Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) ‘Summertime Blue’, Cotoneaster x suesicus ‘Emerald Beauty’, Nine Bark (Physocarpus opulifolius ) ‘Diablo’, Rose ‘Blushing Drift’ and Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) ‘Pink Chiffon’. 

Check out some of these drought-tolerant plants and win on several fronts; hold onto a bit more of your public utilities dollars, have a better looking yard and save some time watering your yards (I try to help out where I can). 

 Happy gardening all!

Bruce Bennett, Garden Guy
Contributing garden columnist, Bruce Bennett, is a Washington State University Certified Master Gardener, public speaker and Seattle-area garden designer. 

If you have questions concerning this article, have questions concerning your garden or want to suggest a topic for a future column, contact Bruce at gardenguy4u@gmail.com.

See his previous columns here

Read more...

For the Birds: Fall and Winter Birds

Monday, October 9, 2023

Fox sparrow in leaves
Photo by Craig Kerns
By Christine Southwick

Migrant birds such as Western Tanagers, most of our warblers and flycatchers, plus our Osprey have flown southward heading to areas with winter food and warmth.

Because of our habitat-providing trees, this area has a good variety of resident birds, plus some that fly here to winter in our milder climate.

Year-round birds are easier to see in the winter perhaps because there are fewer leaves, or because they are drawn to bird feeders, suet, and liquid water in times of cold.

Two warblers who have adapted to our wet winter weather are the Townsend Warbler and the Yellow-rumped Warbler. They are a welcome splash of color during our grayer days.

Townsend's Warbler by Craig Kerns
Two migrating birds that will be arriving soon are the Varied Thrush and the Fox Sparrow.

Indeed, I have been hearing Varied Thrushes for the last two weeks, which seems early for this area. Maybe it was too dry for their mountain bugs…

Fox Sparrows could be arriving anytime now. They particularly like habitat with Himalayan Blackberries. 

These blackberry vines provide shelter from predators, protection from much of the cold weather, especially if we have snow (usually there is reduced or little snow on the ground under blackberry brambles), and there is always food such as bugs, spiders and leftover berries for them to forage.

Spotted Towhee by Christine Southwick
Our resident birds like the Spotted Towhee, the Song Sparrows and the Bewick’s Wrens all search through leaves to find their delectable life-saving bug meals. 

It is important for conservation-minded neighbors to keep areas of fallen leaves until spring cleaning.

When I first started attracting birds into my yard, I looked to other yards that had Spotted Towhees and found those birds foraging through leaves. 

Yellow-rumped Warbler on suet
by Christine Southwick
Once I started raking leaves off my grass onto my dormant flowerbeds, I had towhees and wrens and sparrows.

Suet and water kept liquid are two other life-sustaining commodities you can provide for birds.

Suet supplies much needed protein, especially when bugs can be scarce during cold weather. Chickadees, Juncos, Bushtits, Hairy, Downy, Pileated woodpeckers, and Flickers will all come to suet feeders. Townsend Warblers and Yellow-rumped Warblers will also eat suet.


Read more...
ShorelineAreaNews.com
Facebook: Shoreline Area News
Twitter: @ShorelineArea
Daily Email edition (don't forget to respond to the Follow.it email)

  © Blogger template The Professional Template II by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP